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Railroad conductor: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$78,000median pay per year, or $37.50 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $58,740lowest 10% earn less
  2. $65,61025th percentile
  3. $78,000median
  4. $83,82075th percentile
  5. $109,770top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Railroad conductors and yardmasters had a median pay of $78,000 a year in May 2025, compared with $50,980 for all occupations[1][2]. Jobs are projected to grow 0.9% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+0.9%[3]
Openings per year
3,000[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do railroad conductors make?

BLS counts railroad conductors in a category called Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters. In May 2025, the median pay for this group was $78,000 a year, or $37.50 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more than that and half earned less. The average was a little higher, at $79,100 a year, or $38.03 an hour[7].

For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980 a year[2].

Pay varies within the job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $58,740 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $109,770[4]. BLS does not publish a starting salary. It publishes percentile wages, which are boundaries between groups of workers[8].

Level Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][9] $58,740 $28.24
25th percentile[4][9] $65,610 $31.54
Median[1] $78,000 $37.50
75th percentile[4][9] $83,820 $40.30
90th percentile[4][9] $109,770 $52.78

These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, benefits such as health insurance, and nonproduction bonuses[10].

Pay by state and city

Among the 33 states with published data, Oklahoma had the highest median wage at $102,260 a year, based on 310 jobs[11]. Pennsylvania came next at $83,610, then Maryland at $83,390 and Indiana at $81,260[11]. Kentucky had the lowest median among these states, at $52,380[11].

The most jobs were in New York (6,980), Texas (4,640), Illinois (2,790), Pennsylvania (2,750) and Georgia (1,740)[12]. New York's median was $80,000[11]. Texas was $68,980[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the New York-Newark-Jersey City area had a median of $80,000 and about 3,800 jobs[13][14]. The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands area had a median of $46,440 and 190 jobs[13][14].

Show median pay in 33 states
StateMedian per yearJobs
Oklahoma[11]$102,260310
Pennsylvania$83,6102,750
Maryland$83,390300
Indiana$81,2601,720
Delaware$80,410n/a
New York$80,0006,980
Virginia$79,900900
Illinois$79,8202,790
Florida$79,600760
Washington$79,040810
Michigan$78,960760
Minnesota$78,930830
Arizona$78,080460
Mississippi$78,010440
New Mexico$77,890400
Colorado$77,550490
Georgia$75,8101,740
South Carolina$73,660420
Tennessee$71,740790
California$69,9501,500
Texas$68,9804,640
Kansas$68,7301,200
Oregon$68,580390
Wyoming$68,430n/a
Missouri$68,030970
Arkansas$67,710390
South Dakota$62,73090
Louisiana$62,170390
Ohio$61,3901,480
Wisconsin$59,690630
North Carolina$58,930n/a
West Virginia$55,180320
Kentucky$52,380110

How to become a railroad conductor

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook profile used for training details is called Railroad Workers. It covers conductors and yardmasters together with other related occupations, so some of the text below describes the wider group[15].

First, finish high school or get an equivalent. BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no related work experience needed[6]. In an O*NET survey of 24 workers, 86% said a high school diploma or equivalent was required, 8% said a post-secondary certificate and 6% said an associate's degree[16]. Rail companies may prefer applicants with some education beyond high school[17].

Second, meet the basic requirements. Railroad workers must be at least 21 years old, pass a background test and pass random drug and alcohol screenings during their employment[18].

Third, complete on-the-job training. BLS classifies the training as moderate-term on-the-job training[6]. Railroad companies often provide up to 12 months of it for conductors and yardmasters[19]. Amtrak and some larger freight railroads run their own programs. Small and regional railroads may use a central training site or a community college for conductors[19]. Yardmasters may attend a program or learn from an experienced yardmaster[19].

Fourth, get certified. Conductors must be certified by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)[20]. The employing railroad runs the certification, which includes a written knowledge test and a skills test[20]. Conductors on national, regional or commuter railroads pass a test that the railroad designs and the FRA approves[21]. Conductors must be recertified every few years[22].

Some workers reach this job from other railroad roles. Workers in some other railroad jobs, such as rail yard engineer or switch operator, may move up to conductor or yardmaster[23].

What railroad conductors and yardmasters do

Conductors coordinate the crew on passenger or freight trains. Yardmasters oversee the crews who build and break up trains and switch cars in a rail yard[24]. Typical tasks include:

Where they work

In the broader railroad workers group, rail transportation was the largest employer in 2025, at 85% of jobs[26]. Trains run around the clock, so schedules can include nights, weekends and holidays[27]. Federal rules set a minimum number of rest hours for train operators[27].

Conductors and engineers on long routes may be away from home for long stretches. Those on passenger trains with short routes usually have more predictable schedules, and some freight workers have irregular schedules[28]. Seniority usually decides who gets the most wanted shifts[29]. Some conductors are hired as extra-board workers for temporary or substitute work on a route[29].

Passenger train conductors generally work in cleaner and more comfortable conditions than freight conductors. They sometimes have to deal with upset or unruly passengers[30].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of railroad conductors and yardmasters to grow 0.9% from 2025 to 2035[3]. That is a rise from about 38,900 to 39,200 jobs, or 300 more[3]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% over the same period[31]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[3].

BLS also projects about 3,000 openings a year, on average, from 2025 to 2035[5]. Openings also come from workers who retire or change occupations, not only from new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.1% of workers leave the labor force and 5.5% move to a different occupation[32].

The May 2025 pay survey counted about 46,440 wage and salary jobs[33]. The projection count is lower. The pay survey count leaves out the self-employed, and the projection count includes them[33][3].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job that needs no college degree and pays above the all-occupation median[6][1][2]. Entry means employer training, FRA certification, a minimum age of 21 and passing screenings[19][20][18]. Schedules can include nights, weekends and holidays, and some routes mean time away from home[27][28]. Job growth is projected at 0.9%, below the 3.5% rate for all occupations, though about 3,000 openings are projected each year[3][31][5]. Pay differs a lot by state, so local numbers matter[11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[34].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a railroad conductor make a year?
The median pay for railroad conductors and yardmasters was $78,000 a year in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $58,740 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $109,770[4].
How much does a railroad conductor make an hour?
The median was $37.50 an hour, and the average was $38.03 an hour[1][7].
What education do you need to be a railroad conductor?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education, with no related work experience[6]. Training happens on the job[6].
How long does it take to become a railroad conductor?
The profile that covers conductors lists up to 12 months of on-the-job training at railroad companies[15][19]. Conductors must also be certified by the FRA[20].
Which state pays railroad conductors the most?
Oklahoma had the highest median wage among states with published data, at $102,260 a year, based on 310 jobs[11]. Pennsylvania was next at $83,610[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in the US was $78,000 per year and $37.50 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters is projected to grow 0.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 38,900 to 39,200 jobs (a change of +300). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters: 10th percentile $58,740, 25th percentile $65,610, 75th percentile $83,820, 90th percentile $109,770. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 3,000 openings for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters was $79,100 per year and $38.03 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters: 10th percentile $28.24, 25th percentile $31.54, 75th percentile $40.30, 90th percentile $52.78. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters jobs: New York 6,980; Texas 4,640; Illinois 2,790; Pennsylvania 2,750; Georgia 1,740. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters (areas with at least 100 jobs): New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $80,000; Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX $46,440. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,800 (median $80,000); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 190 (median $46,440); Savannah, GA 90 (median $38,020); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 80 (median $96,120); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 70 (median $45,600); Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO 70 (median $59,790). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Railroad Workers" covers Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. O*NET 53-4031.00 survey of workers (24 respondents), education level they say is required: High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 86%, Post-Secondary Certificate 8%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 6% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET description of Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters. O*NET OnLine
  26. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of railroad workers in 2025: Rail transportation 85%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters: 2.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 5.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  33. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 46,440 people were employed as Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  34. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.